BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
When Eric Dupuis was four years old, his twin brother fell into a lake and struggled to remain at the surface. Eric panicked, and ran to get his mother because neither of the boys knew how to swim. Soon after this scary incident, the boys were placed in swimming lessons.
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Eric Dupuis? swim coach says the talented swimmer has a great work ethic and his inner drive and motivation is amazing. |
Out of this experience came a great passion for Dupuis and while taking swimming lessons a competitive spirit built up inside him that would eventually spawn a tremendous competitive club swimmer.
At the first club competition meet in early November against other club swimmers from Northeastern Ontario, Dupuis not only shocked himself, but shocked others in the swimming community with a stunning performance in the 100-metre backstroke.
He finished with a time of 1:01.71 and qualified for the Eastern National Championships in Halifax from Feb. 19-22.
Dupuis, 16, was overwhelmed with his result.
?It?s something you train for all the time, but I didn?t believe it at first,? said Dupuis. ?I knew I was close. I got out of the pool, ran to my coach and found out I had qualified. I was really happy.?
Dupuis has known for some time he has what it takes to get where he is today.
?It takes training every day,? said Dupuis. ?You have to set a goal, then achieve that goal. You have to think about it all the time.?
Dupuis has been a member of the Valley East Swim Club for the last six years. Over that time, Dupuis has honed his work ethic and transformed himself into a confident, eager competitor.
He?s at his best when he?s blazing through the pool on his back.
?The 100-metre backstroke is my best event,? said Dupuis. ?It?s a quick swim and you have to be aware of where you are at all times. ?Everything you do, from the flip to your pull, has to be perfected. Everything affects your time.?
Dupuis thrives on the competition.
?I like the feeling before a race,? said Dupuis. ?Everybody is nervous and excited. I thrive on it.?
This will be Dupuis? first crack at a national event and it has given him a lot to think about and do.
?It?s given me more motivation,? said Dupuis. ?I will have to train harder.?
His coach, Sharon Leger, likes Dupuis? inner drive.
?He has a great workout ethic,? said Leger. ?He?s very motivational to himself. His inner drive is amazing.?
It has been about three years since the small Valley East club has had a swimmer qualify for a national event.
Dupuis? opportunity is a bonus to the club.
?Having another swimmer going to a national event is important to the club,? said Leger. ?It shows kids they can
come from a small school and do big things and get to that level.?
Dupuis is more than just a swimmer at the club.
?Eric is dedicated and a great leader for our younger swimmers,? said Leger. ?He does coaching for us and he?s a great role model for the younger kids.?
Dupuis is a grade 11 student at E. S. C. l?Horizon.
Besides swimming, Dupuis enjoys playing squash.
